Inside Unmanned Systems

APR-MAY 2018

Inside Unmanned Systems provides actionable business intelligence to decision-makers and influencers operating within the global UAS community. Features include analysis of key technologies, policy/regulatory developments and new product design.

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ENGINEERING. PRACTICE. POLICY.
37 April/May 2018 unmanned systems
inside
If there is, the sensors send a signal that the ro-
tor speed needs adjusted. The flight itself is very
stable."
This type of environmental monitoring is
only possible because the aircraft is electri-
cally driven, Treeck said. Combustion engines,
for example, are not able to adjust rotor speed
quickly enough. On the Volocopter, it can be
adjusted almost in real time, which is made
possible through Intel technology.
The small rotors help keep noise levels down
(the Volocopter is quieter than a helicopter,
which has fewer but larger rotors and single
points of failure) and because it is battery
powered, the aircraft doesn't have any emis-
sions—both key features for public acceptance
of these air taxis.
The Volocopter team began developing the
aircraft in 2011, and has completed success-
ful autonomous test f lights in Dubai. Late
last year, Intel CEO Brian Krzanich became
the first passenger to f ly in a Volocopter. The
remotely piloted f light took place in an exhibi-
tion hall in Germany.
Airbus is working on two systems, and com-
pleted a demonstration of its Vahana single
passenger eVTOL in January, Thomsen said.
The Alpha One, the first full-scale version of
the Vahana, f lew to a height of 16 feet for 53
seconds before it safely
descended. The aircraft
completed a second self-
piloted f light the next
day. The team that de-
veloped the system, A2
in Silicon Valley, was
able to take the aircraft
from concept to f light
in less than two years.
Alpha One is designed
with a tilt wing, can take off vertically and uses
the wing to generate lift. More f light demon-
strations are planned for later this year.
Airbus is also developing a multi-rotor with
four propulsion units and eight propellers.
Known as CityAirbus, that system is designed
to carry upwards of four passengers. Its first
demonstration is expected to take place later
this year.
WE WANT THIS TO
BECOME PART OF THE
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
SYSTEM, SO IT MUST BE
AFFORDABLE. IT'S NOT
LIKE A PRIVATE JET, BUT
MORE LIKE THE COST OF
A CAB."
VOLOCOPTER'S
TEST FLIGHTS IN DUBAI
A robust UTM system is vital to making UAM possible, and is
something NASA and many others are working on, said Helena
Treeck, who is in charge of public relations at Volocopter. The
German-based manufacturer recently began performing test flights
in Dubai with the government "Roads and Transport Authority"
(RTA). For the flights, the system is integrated into the Emirates air
traffic management system. Team members could see all the other
flights and could communicate with other aircraft.
The first autonomous flight was completed last September during a
demonstration for his highness Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
The Volocopter autonomously flew 500 meters in 8 minutes and
reached a height of 60 meters. Dubai plans to handle 25% of all of its
passenger travel via autonomous transportation by 2030.
Helena Treeck, senior global
manager public relations, Volocopter
"